Ducks Start Strong, But Can’t Hold Off Oilers

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the Edmonton Oilers. Lukas Dostal was in net against Levi. Nikita Klepov made his NHL debut.

Recap

The Ducks struck first when Beckett Sennecke scored on the power play in the opening minutes of the game. Mikael Granlund found Sennecke in front and he was able to beat Levi low for the score.

Later in the period Sennecke scored again on the power play. This time Leo Carlsson found Sennecke in front and he again scored low. Anaheim held 2-0 advantage after the first period.

Evan Bouchard got the Oilers on the board just 11 seconds into the second period. Kasperi Kapanen then scored a few minutes later on the power to tie the game up.

Edmonton then scored three more times in a span of about 5 minutes to make it a 5-2 lead at the end of the second period. Bouchard scored his second followed by Vasily Podkolzin and Connor McDavid.

Ville Husso came in to start the third period for Anaheim. There was no scoring and the Ducks lost 5-2.

Analysis:

The Ducks got off to a fast start going 2-for-2 on the power play in the first period. They then cooled off not scoring after the first period and going 0-for-5 on the next five power plays. The Oilers were able to turn the tables in the second period dropping five goals on the Ducks, who could never recover.

Anaheim continues to play well during special teams play, but not during 5-on-5 play. The Ducks have not scored an even strength goal since the season opener in Las Vegas. Anaheim has scored five times in their last two contests and all of those goals have come on the power play.

In this contest the Ducks had difficulty getting the puck out of the zone especially in the second period. Anaheim was able to carry the play in the third as they put up 10 shots on goal to just 2 for Edmonton. The Oilers went in to prevent defense mode in the third period being up by three goals. The Ducks had some power plays late in the period, but still couldn’t get no the board.

Dostal did not have a good night as he was scored on five times in 17 shot attempts on net. He will definitely want a couple of those goals back in the second period, especially the final goal of the period scored by McDavid.

The Ducks have looked good overall in the small sample size shown so far. They do need to work on scoring during even strength play. They also can’t sit on a lead especially against playoff caliber teams like Edmonton. They are a very young group and they will learn.

Team Notes/Stats:

Klepov was the youngest person to play for Anaheim at the age of 18 and 102 days.

Carlsson has 148 total career points (62 G + 86 A) passing Paul Kariya (147) for most career points with the Ducks before the age of 22.

Carlsson extended his point streak to three games to open the season, which is a new club record.

Carlsson has seven points in three games which the most points recorded by a Ducks player through the first three games of the season.

What’s Next?

The Ducks travel to Winnipeg and face the Jets on Friday at 5PM.

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October 8th, 2026